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JOE Ingles made it “third time lucky” in the early hours today when Maccabi Tel Aviv won its sixth Euroleague Championship with a stunning 98-86 overtime upset over Real Madrid in Milan.

Having pulled off a 68-67 miracle come-from-behind win over CSKA Moscow in the semi-final, Maccabi started heavy underdogs after Real smacked Barcelona 100-62 in the other semi.

Real led 26-15 in the second quarter but needed free throws by Ioannis Bourosis to level the Final at 73-73 and send it into overtime.

Maccabi guard Tyrese Rice, who scored the game-winner against CSKA, was sensational in the extension, scoring 14 of his game-high 26 points as the crowd at the Forum in Milan went crazy.

Rice scored one more than Real as Maccabi produced a magical 25-13 explosion for one of the greatest wins in Euroleague Finals history.

“I don't know, man! I can't describe this feeling, I am so emotional right now,” Ingles said after the game.

It was his third straight trip to the Euroleague Final Four, having been there previously twice with Barcelona.

But for the Australian dual-Olympian – an NBL Championship winner with South Dragons – this was extra-special.

“We worked really hard this year,” he said.

“Everyone doubted us ... and we won the Euroleague.

“This is incredible!

“We fought all year.

“This is what brought us here and what allowed us to win.

“We never gave up and fought all year.

“I really don't know how I am going to celebrate.

“I am not sleeping. For a long time.”

IT was a big day all around in international basketball, with the indifferent Pacers also producing a milestone performance to beat Miami Heat 107-96 in Indiana in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final.

It was Indiana’s highest scoring game of the 2013-14 playoffs and what was most striking was Miami’s lack of urgency in the final minutes.

Dwyane Wade scored 27 points and LeBron James had 25 but Chris Bosh was Missing-In-Action as the defending dual NBA champion lost for only the second time in 10 playoff games.

For Indiana, roared to victory with a standing ovation by their thrilled fans amid a sea of yellow, Paul George scored 24 points, David West had 19, Roy Hibbert stood up for 19 points and 9 boards as six Pacers scored in double figures.

Indiana led from start-to-finish with a 30-point first quarter.

Game 2 is also in Indiana on Wednesday, Australian time.

THE Australian connection in the WNBA also shot off to a good start with Sandy Brondello’s Phoenix Mercury beating Seattle Storm 81-64.

Erin Phillips opened at the point for the Mercury and had eight points and three assists in 21 minutes, Brittney Griner leading Phoenix with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting.

Griner also blocked five shots.

Coming back from injury, Penny Taylor saw just 15 minutes of action for three points and two assists.

For the Storm, Jenna O’Hea had 21 minutes off the bench for three points.

“The key stat for me was we kept this team to 34 percent,” Brondello said.

“We can still get better.”

TOMORROW: Brendan Joyce on the Opals' USA trip and what is to come.